Spiritual philosophy of rhythm in the interior design of religious buildings

Rhythm is considered one of the most important principles of design in general, and we find that the design rhythm is manifested in the interior design of religious buildings with its various aspects such as repetition, gradation, and transition, in a different way that suits and integrates with the spiritual character of the religious building and enhances the desired feeling of presence in these buildings through the design of the interior architecture of these distinctive architectural spaces. The research aims to place the interior designs and decorations used in the interior design of places of worship in a rhythmic mold as one of the most important principles used to produce a successful and integrated design by using rhythmic techniques in a thoughtful manner and not by chance to achieve the required design and artistic goal and to emphasize the value of the rhythm principle in interior design and highlight the ways through which it is applied in the best way. The importance of the research lies in shedding light on how to feel and appreciate rhythm in design and the importance of taking into account that the psychological aspect achieved by applying the rhythm principle in design is complementary to the architectural and decorative sensory aspect in the space to be designed. The research also aims to address the different patterns and methods of rhythm in one of the oldest mosques in Egypt and one of the most unique and beautiful in design, which is the Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha in the Citadel of Saladin in Cairo, and one of the most important churches in Egypt, which is the Marqousiya Cathedral in Abbassia, Cairo. The research emphasizes highlighting the psychological, spiritual and philosophical dimension of using different rhythm techniques in the interior design of places of worship, and the application through the analytical description of two models of them. The research is based on the analytical approach that depends on analyzing the features and techniques that achieve rhythm successfully and effectively in the interior design of religious buildings of different shapes. The descriptive approach was also used, which depends on the accurate description of the different elements through which rhythm is achieved in the internal architectural determinants, whether through repetition, gradation, or transition.